In a post-pandemic world, performing arts companies worldwide are reimagining their business models in order to adapt, sustain and grow. The move to TCA will help secure ATC’s ongoing success well into the future. TCA is positioned at the center of future geographic markets, offers ease of access, and a state-of-the-art venue. TCA also provides a more intimate experience for patrons, and a more flexible theater space for presenting shows.

Additionally, the central location and easy freeway access to Tempe Center for the Arts – together with nearby access to free parking – make it an ideal new home for ATC in metro Phoenix.

A majority of ATC patrons hail from East Valley communities, including Scottsdale and the zip codes in and around Tempe.

The move to Tempe signals a new era for Arizona Theatre Company and affirms the City of Tempe’s commitment to the arts. The collaboration with TCA will bring Arizona’s premier professional regional theatre to the heart of Tempe, which is both centrally located and easily accessible to the rapidly growing greater Phoenix area.

With 55 years of performing in Arizona and more than 43 years in the Valley, Arizona Theatre Company’s move is the first step to securing a new permanent venue for future seasons in the burgeoning East Valley. TCA has a long history of supporting the arts and looks at this collaboration as an extension of that support.

ATC will move its shows to the TCA beginning in October 2023. All performances in the metro Phoenix market will take place at the TCA. Shows in Tucson will continue to be at the Temple of Music and Art.

Arizona Theatre Company has a 43-year legacy of performing in metro Phoenix and has performed at the Herberger Theater Center since it opened in Downtown Phoenix in 1989.

NO! All six of ATC’s mainstage performances originate in Tucson at the Temple of Music and Art before moving to metropolitan Phoenix. That means rehearsals and the first 21 performances take place at the Temple of Music and Art in Tucson. Then the cast and crew move to the Herberger Theater Center (and next year the Tempe Center for the Arts!) for 16 performances.

Tempe Center for the Arts is the crown jewel in a city known for its support of the arts. At the heart of the venue is the 600-seat Main Theater featuring state-of-the-art technology, where every seat is closer than 55 feet from the Broadway-size stage, with its own under-seat cooling.

Views of Tempe Town Lake, the Papago Buttes and Camelback Mountain can be seen at various vantage points throughout the venue.

Recently celebrating 15 years in operation, the center came to life thanks to a resident-approved sales tax that funded its construction and maintenance. This commitment was reaffirmed in 2018 when residents passed a permanent tax to fund arts and culture programs in Tempe through a one-tenth of one cent sales tax.

The city’s dedication to supporting local arts includes public art projects, community arts classes, programming in parks and schools, and the Tempe History Museum. The city recently awarded a record number of groups with grants to support arts and culture programming throughout Tempe.

TCA currently invests in a diversity of local artists as well as small to medium arts organizations. This is done through a range of self-presented events, partnerships, investment in local resident organizations and support for third party rentals throughout the year. With ATC coming to the center, there will be a new critical mass of performances at the center that will deliver flow-on benefits to other artists. ATC shows will create new entry points for people to discover the center’s broader programs, generating crossover marketing opportunities for other artists and companies that present throughout the year.

TCA is centrally located at 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway in Tempe. It is conveniently located 1.6 miles off the Loop 202 Freeway. Heading east on the Loop 202, take exit 6 toward Priest Drive/Center Parkway. Turn right onto North Priest Drive and go for .5 miles. Turn left onto West Rio Salado Parkway and go .7 miles, where TCA is on your left.

There is a parking garage adjacent to the Tempe Center for the Arts, where ATC patrons can conveniently park for free when they get their parking validated at TCA. The parking garage is located north of Rio Salado Parkway at Hardy Drive and provides accessible parking.

Yes. Food and beverage service is available in the TCA Lounge an hour prior to performance time and through intermission.

Yes. Subscription and ticket purchases will take place through Arizona Theatre Company.

No. All shows for the current 2022-23 55th Season will be held at the Herberger Theater Center as ticketed.

Subscriptions will go on sale in late February/early March for the 2023-24 Season. All 6-Play subscribers in the 2022-23 Season will have the opportunity to preview TCA’s theatre, choose their seats, and purchase their subscriptions before subscriptions go on sale to the public. Flex Pass Subscribers will also have the chance to preview the space and purchase their subscriptions before public sales begin.

We understand that a move to a new venue is a big move for you, too! We’re excited for our dedicated subscribers to be part of the process and look forward to subscriber and donor events to preview the venue, see the theatre, sit in the seats, and make your seating choices for the 56th Season at TCA. Subscriber-only invitations will be sent in early 2023. If you’re unable to attend an event, ATC patron services staff will work with you to find shows and seating that meet your needs.

Single Tickets for individual shows will go on sale in early August 2023 for the 2023-24 Season. The best way to get first pick of shows and seats is to become a Flex Pass Subscriber!